Classic Poem

ADDRESSED TO JOHN JOLIFFE, ESQ.

A decent mien, an elegance of dress,
Words which, at ease, each winning grace express;
A life where love, by wisdom polish'd, shines,
Where wisdom's self again by love refines,
Where we to chance for friendship never trust,
Nor ever dread from sudden whim disgust;
The social manners and the heart humane,
A nature ever great, and never vain;
A wit that no licentious pertness knows;
The sense that unassuming candour shows;
Reason by narrow principles uncheck'd,
Slave to no party, bigot to no sect;
Knowledge of various life, of learning too,
Thence taste, thence truth, which will from taste ensue;
Unwilling censure, tho' a judgment clear,
A smile indulgent, and that smile sincere;
An humble tho' an elevated mind;
A pride its pleasure but to serve mankind:
If these esteem and admiration raise,
Give true delight, and gain unflatt'ring praise,
In one wish'd view th' accomplish'd man we see;
These graces all are thine, and thou art he.